New Doctor Who

Two Doctor Who premieres in one weekend is most irregular.

Smith and Jones was very good. A nice solid opener to the new series and a nice solid introduction for Martha Jones too. After months of reading all the "Freema isn't very good" rumour mongering on the Internet, it was lovely to watch her give a good performance. Martha is just about different enough from Rose for the character to work and I'm looking forward to getting to know her better as we go through the series.
The story itself was very entertaining, and it was good to see that The Judoon were more than the Sontaran clones (sorry!) that their appearance initially suggested. They were brilliantly designed and played with their gruff voices. I also very much enjoyed Ann Reid as the Plasmavore. Her last line was great! It's about time new Doctor Who had a great old hag villainess!
A nice 8/10 effort I reckons.

The other was, of course, Soap of Fatal Death. That too was pretty damn good! We've learnt a lot from making Protii and the production seemed a real step up from last year's story. We've still got to really make sure that everyone keeps their distance from the microphone to reduce the popping, but otherwise the production was very good. Si does a great job of the sound design considering it's not something he specialises in, and the music and sound effects fitted very well.
Of course, I really like the story (but then I would!) and I'm pleased to say that all our cast gave their all and really got into it and made it very special. It's so good to hear it all come alive! I especially enjoyed the Clear Waters scenes which in the novella were dying to be heard at the very least to make them work. Here they were worked marvellously, with the "actors" missing their cues, talking over each other and giving larger than life performances. I couldn't have asked for more!
Our regulars seem more at ease this time round, Paul especially really seems to have got a handle on his Doctor, and he gave an understated but very convincing performance this time round. Steve makes Rob really unique and very entertaining to listen to and Dave is a good foil for them and give another really good performance.
Favourite bits? Well, my favourite scripted seen with The Doctor and Roddy Stevens at the awards came over really well, as did the wonderful episode 3 cliffhanger and the ending was really good too. Steve got the line just right! I just enjoyed heraing everyone laugh at the jokes and the surprise cameo, which was wonderful. I had no idea!
I did miss the Doctor's line about the human lives being better than any scripted travesty of a soap opera in part 4, which I thought was perhaps the most important thing to stress, but otherwise I have no complaints!

Now I'd better get on with writing the next one!